Japan Jolted by Another 6.7-Magnitude Quake, Tsunami Alert Issued for Coastal Areas

Tokyo: A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan, triggering a tsunami alert for coastal areas. The quake hit at 11:44 a.m. local time, with its epicentre located off Aomori prefecture, at a depth of 20 kilometers. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned of tsunami waves up to one meter high along the northern Pacific coastline.

This earthquake comes just days after a 7.5-magnitude tremor in the same region injured at least 34. The JMA had issued a special advisory warning of possible aftershocks, including another quake of similar or greater size, within a week. The region is still reeling from the devastating 9.0-magnitude undersea earthquake and tsunami that claimed around 18,500 lives in 2011.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) also said that the quake measured 6.7 and was 130 kilometres off the city of Kuji in Iwate prefecture on the main island of Honshu.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no immediate abnormalities at local nuclear facilities. While some homes lost power, most services have been restored. The JMA has lifted the tsunami advisory, with only minor waves observed in some areas.

Japan is located on the western edge of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', where four major tectonic plates meet, making it one of the world's most seismically active countries. With a population of around 125 million, Japan experiences approximately 1,500 earthquakes annually, most of which are mild. However, the impact of these quakes varies depending on their location and depth.

Photo: AFP